Mindset Monday // Fear

"Why do we REALLY quit? Because it's hopeless, or because it's possible..." ~unknown

We fear many things- it's only natural. Some fear is of vital importance. Like, the fear of legitimate and immediate threats that can be the difference between life and death. The activation of your fight-or-flight response (adrenals) prepares to you take swift action to keep you out of harms way.

But sometimes, ok most of the time, our fears are not always legitimized by our circumstances nor are immediate threats. And still, our adrenals are working overtime to ready us for... nothing. This is truly an exhausting way to live. We all experience this to some degree or another and we do it subconsciously.

Helen Keller is one of the bravest women in history, IMHO. And she has said countless wise things.

The more I read about fear and think about it in the context of my own life and of people's behavior, the more broad this topic becomes for me. This is a key factor that determines how happy you are, how successful you are, and ultimately how healthy you are. So over the next few weeks, I want to explore this topic of fear in depth. How does it hold us back and why? What can we do about it?

My initial thoughts, and something specific to focus on for this week, revolve around our need for fear. That because we have spent so much time in doubt, under stress, and worried about the future, it has become familiar.

Fear is disguised as your familiar friend.

This is the whole crux of self sabotage. We find subtle ways to not be good enough for anything. For the promotion or recognition, for the attention or love, for the positive feedback and validation from others. We fear not having those things, and it's easier to stay fearful of them than to seek them and be disappointed. And when we stay fearful time after time, we not only don't go anywhere or get anything that we need, we become comfortable with it. We become FINE with not getting anywhere or having what we need.

Whenever you are 100% comfortable, something gives. Are you excusing your desires in the face of the fear of not having them realized? The saying Let's get comfortable being uncomfortable has a new meaning. The first step in healing an internal process is to be aware that it's there.

Listen to your inner voice, is it telling you something negative about yourself or your abilities? Do you feel comfortable staying where you are because of fear?

#Mindset